Who would have predicted it? Who would have imagined on Feb. 3, 1977, the day of his appointment as archbishop of San Salvador, that the highly conservative Oscar Romero -- who was suspicious of the Catholic church’s involvement in political activism -- would die a martyr’s death for courageously defending his people against the murderous assaults of the Salvadoran government and military and their allied right-wing death squads? more

The sage, sane and sober ponderings in these pages sometime ago from Father Joseph Creedon were at the time a refreshing change from many media comments on Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, … more

“A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system,” warns Pope Francis in his landmark environmental encyclical Laudato Si … more

There is beauty and wonder in the season leading up to the Nativity, and a hushed reverence thereafter. We are called to embrace the God of True Light, who entered our world of sin and darkness. Many … more

St. Charles Borromeo, honored with all the heavenly elect on this Solemnity of All Saints, could have taken great advantage of his family’s prominent position in society and in the Church. His … more

It is easy to appreciate why the sun would become an object of reverence, even adoration, in the ancient world. The sun gave light and provided warmth and encouraged growth and determined the passage … more

PROVIDENCE — Diocese of Providence Seminarian Patrick Ryan was one of 23 seminarians from the Pontifical North American College in Rome ordained to the transitional diaconate on Sept. 29. The … more

Whenever we say the Confiteor at Holy Mass we confess that we have sinned “in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my … more

Saint Paul writes: “but I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3) So, what … more

Celebracion Diocesana Guadalupana: El obispo de la diócesis de Providence Richard G. Hennings estará presente en la Misa diocesana en honor a la Virgen de Guadalupe el próximo … more

The world always needs Mary. It needs her example; it needs her holiness; and it needs her powerful prayers. But a good case can be made that, in the midst of the disorder, division and confusion … more

Many of us had music lessons in childhood. Hours dedicated to scales, rote exercises and simple songs which laid the foundation, introducing us to the challenging world of the arts. We progressed … more

By Father Stephen Battey Recently we received a heartfelt letter that spoke about the fiery preaching that was commonplace in some parishes decades ago. I always think of the scene from the movie … more

The Catholic Church has a very big secret. It is so powerful, challenging and relevant, that if every bishop, priest, religious and layperson was committed to communicating and implementing this … more

“i am a little church… at peace with nature …winter by spring, i lift my diminutive spire to merciful Him Whose only now is forever” FOSTER — Few churches in the … more

PROVIDENCE — The Catholic Church recently celebrated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. First proposed by the American Episcopal minister-turned-Franciscan friar Father Paul Watson in … more

The four Gospel accounts were not composed by SS. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John sitting around a large table in the Upper Room reviving memories and comparing notes. The Gospel accounts took shape at … more

Era una tarde de verano a principios de agosto y estábamos ansiosamente esperando la visita de nuestra hija Sister Juan María of the Holy Spirit (Emily Rose), quien se encontraba a … more

By Cole DeSantis Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent PROVIDENCE —St. Adalbert’s Parish in Providence celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding, with Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop … more

“Well, it’s the Fourth of July; summer’s almost over,” my mom proclaimed each year as the nation’s birthday approached. more